Isla MacEachern Authentic Materials and the Fight for German

German has been declining in UK schools for years — but in many classrooms the fightback is already underway.

In this episode, Will speaks to Isla MacEachern, a German teacher with nearly two decades of experience, contributor to BBC Bitesize, and recipient of the German Embassy Teacher of German Award.

Together they explore what it really takes to keep languages thriving in schools.

They discuss:

• why authentic materials matter in language teaching
• how culture can bring language learning to life
• the realities of German in UK schools today
• how teachers can boost engagement at Key Stage 3
• and why mistakes are essential to language learning

Isla also shares insights from her work writing new BBC Bitesize GCSE German resources, and reflects on how teachers can keep languages relevant, accessible and exciting for pupils.

It’s a conversation about culture, curiosity and the quiet work teachers do every day to keep languages alive.

Next week: a special episode from Language World, including exclusive audio from the President’s Panel.